A repository of solutions to global problems

For two years now, leading policy makers, academics and businessmen have been meeting for discussions in the Global Economic Symposium to provide concrete solutions for the most pressing global governance issues the world will be facing this century. Here is the result of these discussions: a repository of concrete policy proposals.

A test calibrated to fix the result

By: Wolfgang Münchau

If you tried to test the safety of cars using the same method, you would end up in jail.

Eurozone Meltdown

This is the first in a new series of regular briefing notes on important issues facing the euro area. In this briefing note we are asking whether the euro area could ever break up. We think not. But we are not as certain as we used to be.

The case against the optimists

By: Wolfgang Münchau

There are two kinds of euroyone optimists: stupid ones, and dangerous ones.

Why the optimists are wrong about the eurozone

By: Wolfgang Münchau

The optimists have not had a good crisis so far. This will not change.

Why Greece will default

By: Wolfgang Münchau

So, does last week’s agreement mean an end of the Greek crisis, as some of the optimists claim? Let us start with some simple back of the envelope analysis of Greek debt sustainability. This will show that default - under any realistic political and social assumptions - must now be the most probable outcome.

US health care reform - an unintended stimulus

By: Adam Posen

Health care reform legislation – the extension of health insurance to millions of uncovered Americans – will pass the US Congress in some form soon, despite the Democrats’ loss of a Senate seat Even if partial at best,this is a long overdue catch-up of American social justice in an essential area with the rest of the civilized world. It will be a huge triumph and hugely expensive. What gets overlooked is that it will also have the effect of being the second US fiscal stimulus package following the global crisis, with substantial effects on the rest of the world as a result.